Raffy's - About Us

Raffy's is an eatery distinguished by Passionate American Food

Two decades in the restaurant business and family recipes from Argentina and Italy have all come together at Raffy's, a new restaurant at the Perry Hall Crossing shopping center.

Ray Mazzone, a Perry Hall resident, said the new eatery fulfills a dream he has had since he started washing dishes in restaurants at age 16.

"I've always wanted to have my own place," Mazzone said, who is now 37. At Raffy's he is one of several owners, but wears the title of managing partner.

The restaurant, lounge and raw bar opened Dec. 6, 2006 but has not yet had its official opening, he said, "because we wanted to iron out all the kinks first."

Raffy's will make use of ideas and dishes Mazzone has acquired in his 21 years in the business, he said. That career has taken him from dirty dishes to assistant manager of the former Planet Hollywood at the Inner Harbor and manager of the Bayou on The Avenue at White Marsh for five years.

"I can cook if I really have to, if someone has to leave," Mazzone said. As manager, his main job is to hire and train everyone else. His management team includes mostly family members, he said, including his uncle, Roland Mazzone. Wife Deneen, who once managed a Champs restaurant, is also on hand.

His pride is in his kitchen, he said.

"Nothing comes out of a can," he said.

Several recipes show the Mazzone family's heritage. Originally from Italy, his Mazzone grandparents left that country about 1950 and first settled in Argentina.

Italian family influences are found in several pasta dishes and an "Ultimate Meatball" in marinara sauce, served with two crisp linguini that look like antennae on a giant bee.

The family brought with them from Argentina a recipe for an empanada, a pastry filled with spiced beef, Mazzone said.

Reading trade magazines gave Mazzone ideas on layout and decor, he said, The partners then hired an architect and an interior designer to fine-tune the renovation of the space.

Features include a stainless steel bar that has stools on one side and regular chairs on the other, yet patrons on both sides are at eye level, thanks to a floor recess.

The bar area is served by seven TVs and a projection screen, all usually tuned to sports. The bar is separated from the dining room by large garage doors, which are raised after 11 p.m. on weekends for dancing to a DJ.

Mazzone explains the name Raffy's comes from his grandfather's and his own first name Raffaele, although he uses Ray.

Article courtesy of Linda Garman Weimer (The Jeffersonian)